Author: Michele Wunderlich

Hydrilla

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

By Liz Kreitinger, Steward/Executive Director, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network

Managing invasive Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Cayuga Lake requires a combination of sustained chemical treatments, public education, and cooperative efforts from lake users to prevent further spread. Since its discovery in the inlet in 2011, each Hydrilla infestation location has been targeted with herbicide treatments which have reduced plant density and slowed its spread.

However, preventing the spread of Hydrilla by local boat traffic remains a significant challenge. In June, for the first time this year, Hydrilla was detected by a Finger Lakes Partnership for Invasive Species Management (FL-PRISM) Watercraft Steward at Cayuga Lake State Park who was inspecting a motorized kayak exiting the lake. This is the furthest point north in Cayuga Lake that Hydrilla has been detected to date. Preventing Hydrilla from spreading into the shallow northern shelf of Cayuga Lake and the canal  system is a top priority due to its vigorous growth which can choke waterways for recreation and crowd out other species.  In response to the finding, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and FL-PRISM have put additional effort towards surveys in areas surrounding the park. As of the beginning of August, no established fragments of Hydrilla have been found in the area.

Public awareness campaigns urging lake users to “Clean, Drain, Dry” boats and equipment, along with voluntary inspections by Watercraft Stewards, rely heavily on public cooperation, especially at private docks and informal launch sites. The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network’s education activities continue to focus on these activities and invasive species awareness.

Coordination with local partners is facilitated through the Cayuga Lake Hydrilla Task Force which now includes members from Tompkins, Cayuga and Seneca Counties. As part of an ongoing effort to manage Hydrilla in Cayuga Lake, herbicide treatments administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and DEC continue this summer in all three lakeshore counties. Surveys to monitor treatment effectiveness, plant community response, and possible new patches are ongoing. For details on treatment schedules and extent, water monitoring for herbicide levels, and herbicide information sheets visit our website: https://www.cayugalake.org/resources/hydrilla-information-action/.

 

Clean Up After Your Pet for Cleaner Water

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

Written by Michele Wunderlich

Cleaning up after your dog is not just a courtesy, it helps keep our lakes and streams clean. Pet waste can pollute our local water resources and can be a significant risk to public health!

Dog waste contains harmful bacteria and nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.  When rain or snowmelt flows over the land surface, it can pick up the pet waste and carry these bacteria and nutrients into nearby lakes, streams and wetlands.  The bacteria can cause human disease and health problems and can make the water unsafe for drinking and swimming.  Nitrogen and phosphorus

from the waste will also promote the growth of unwanted rooted aquatic plants and algae, including harmful algal blooms, in lakes and streams.

To prevent pet waste from getting into our waterbodies remember to take along a plastic bag or pooper scooper when you walk your dog. Flush the waste (not the bag) down the toilet or toss the waste (bag and all) into the garbage.

Clean water starts with you.

Protect Your Lake This Fourth of July: Use LED Flares

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

Road flares are a piece of safety equipment many people carry in their vehicle in case it breaks down. They are also often used in Ring of Fire celebrations by lakefront owners when they light flares to create a glowing ring around the lake. The traditional road flares are chemical, or incendiary (burning) flares. These are considered “flammable solids,” as they release dangerous potassium perchlorate and strontium nitrate when burned. These hazardous chemicals can cause adverse health effects, such as injury to eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Furthermore, the blinding light and smoke produced from these toxic flares create additional safety issues. These traditional flares are hot enough to melt tires, skin, and clothing.

The Finger Lakes are sensitive drinking water sources and essential economic drivers that are currently threatened by pollutants that drive the increasing frequency of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) among other water quality concerns. The size and duration of the use of traditional flares suggests a minimal impact to water quality, but when used in large numbers during Ring of Fire celebrations, at rates greater than common use scenarios, residual ash has a high possibility of contaminating nearby soil and water. It is in the community’s best interest to transition from the use of road flares to the use of LED flares to protect themselves and their drinking water sources while participating in Ring of Fire events. LED flares are non-combustible, low-cost, waterproof, reusable, and do not contain hazardous materials that can burn the skin, eyes, and lungs. LED flares can be carried in your vehicle instead of traditional road flares. Furthermore, the lack of hazardous materials produced by LED flares lends not only to ambient safety, but also to reducing the contamination of the water and soil of the Finger Lakes. This alternative will allow for traditions such as the Ring of Fire to continue, while protecting water quality and the safety of participants.

New York State Invasive Species Awareness Week 2024

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

New York State’s annual Invasive Species Awareness Week is from June 3 to June 9, 2024. This is an annual campaign to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they cause by providing a wide range of activities across the state and showing people how to stop the spread of invasive species. To get more information on invasive species, and a schedule of Invasive Species Awareness Week events visit https://fingerlakesinvasives.org/nyisaw24/ and   https://nyis.info/events/month/2024-06/ .

Skaneateles Lake Watershed 9E Plan: 3rd Public Meeting

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

Photo Caption: Dr. Liz Moran addresses the audience at the May 21st Skaneateles 9E Public meeting.  Author:  Aaron McKeon

The third public meeting for the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Nine Element (9E) Plan was held at The Lodge in Skaneateles Falls on Tuesday, May 21st. Eighty community members turned out to hear the latest information on the plan, which is currently in draft form. Town of Skaneateles Supervisor Chris Legg welcomed the audience and County Legislator Julie Abbott provided some background on the plan’s history and purpose. Dr. Liz Moran from Anchor QEA and Dr. Dave Matthews from the Upstate Freshwater Institute discussed the plan’s scientific findings and Aaron McKeon from the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board talked about how the science informs the plan’s recommendations, and the strategy for implementing those recommendations.

The Draft 9E Plan is available online at: https://skaneateles9e.cnyrpdb.org/

Your comments on this plan are welcome! Please submit comments to: amckeon@cnyrpdb.org

Comments will be accepted through June 21, 2024.

 

Dan Egan Program Now Available

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

The Finger Lakes Land Trust and the Finger Lakes Institute sponsored the program “A Conversation with Pulitzer-Nominated Author Dan Egan About Phosphorus and the Health of Our Lakes” in March 2024.  Dan Egan is the author of The “Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance” and “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.”  This program was moderated by Harold Van Es, Professor of Soil and Water Management at Cornell University. The conversation discussed the role of phosphorus in our daily lives, how it impacts our environment, and its role in shaping agriculture.  This presentation is now available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz7pPuUB7nc.